Category Sourcing Manager
FFP
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Office
Location: Lake Mary • Florida • 🇺🇸 United States
Visit company websiteJob Level
SeniorLead
Tech Stack
ERP
About the role
- Develop and implement category sourcing strategies that ensure consistent supply, timely delivery, and high-quality materials aligned with business requirements
- Act as lead strategist to leverage enterprise scale and drive cost efficiencies across spend categories with a continuous improvement mindset
- Achieve competitive pricing advantages through market intelligence, including domestic and international macroeconomic factors
- Proactively identify and capitalize on opportunistic market conditions within assigned categories
- Identify, evaluate, and execute sourcing opportunities while mitigating supply risk and ensuring supply chain stability
- Serve as Supplier Relationship Manager (SRM), fostering strong partnerships across the local and global supply base
- Act as the primary interface between Vibrant Ingredients and assigned suppliers
- Optimize the supply base to support continuity, scalability, innovation, and long-term growth
- Lead negotiations for long-term supply agreements that deliver sustainable competitive advantage
- Manage contracts and master supply agreements, ensuring compliance with pricing, quality, and delivery requirements
- Coordinate logistics activities with suppliers, including inland freight, ocean freight, and import/export processes when applicable
- Collaborate with R&D and Quality to identify, qualify, and approve new materials, technologies, and suppliers
- Ensure sourced ingredients meet all product specifications, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer-specific needs
- Conduct supplier evaluations and drive performance improvement initiatives across the supply base
- Partner cross-functionally to support evolving business needs and strategic initiatives
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, or related discipline
- Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in procurement and strategic sourcing, with strong category management expertise
- Highly preferred experience sourcing agricultural products, food ingredients, and packaging materials
- Ideal category experience includes Tea, Coffee, Botanicals, or Fruits & Vegetables
- Strong financial and business acumen, including PPV management, P&L impact, cash flow optimization, spend analysis, and supply/demand forecasting
- Extensive knowledge of import/export processes and trade compliance
- Demonstrated ability to build, evaluate, and manage a reliable global supplier network
- Proven success in complex contract negotiations
- Strong leadership and team-building capabilities, with the ability to coach and mentor
- Ability to influence stakeholders, manage ambiguity, and demonstrate resilience
- Strong project management skills supporting cross-functional initiatives
- Data-driven decision-maker capable of analyzing complex data sets quickly
- Excellent interpersonal, conflict management, communication, and presentation skills
- Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., Microsoft Business Central, Great Plains, or similar platforms)
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
- Ability to travel up to 10% or more as required
Benefits
- Generous time off for vacations
- Paid Holidays
- 401(k) with company match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Medical/Dental/Vision
- Health & Wellness programs
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
procurementstrategic sourcingcategory managementsourcing agricultural productssourcing food ingredientssourcing packaging materialscontract negotiationssupply/demand forecastingspend analysistrade compliance
Soft skills
leadershipteam-buildinginfluencing stakeholdersconflict managementcommunicationpresentation skillsproject managementdata-driven decision-makingcoachingresilience